Needle incinerator

ABSTRACT

The invention provides an incinerator adapted for disintegrating metal needles and lancets such as are used in the medical profession. An incinerator is provided that includes first and second electrodes, each having a contact edge spaced apart in an overlapping relationship to one another. The second electrode is rotated relative to the first electrode so as to define a tapered gap between the contact edges. A controlled power source is selectively interconnected to the first and second electrodes, with both being supported by a housing. The housing defines an opening adjacent to the electrodes for receiving metal, such as hypodermic needles, interveinous needles, lancets, etc., to be incinerated by the electrodes. In another embodiment of the invention, a residue collection drawer is slidably mounted within the housing adjacent to the electrodes so as to capture residue from the incineration. An electrode broom is movably mounted within the housing or the drawer, adjacent to the gap between the electrodes, so as to be movable against the contact edges thereby to remove a build-up of debris resulting from incineration.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to waste disposaldevices, and more particularly to devices for disposing of needlesassociated with hypodermic syringes, lancets and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] With the ever increasing need to prevent the spread of infectiousdiseases, there has been a growing emphasis on the safe handling anddisposal of medical waste and particularly the needles utilized withhypodermic syringes. It is extremely important to protect medicalpersonnel and others who are required to administer hypodermicinjections from inadvertent or accidental “stick” injuries. Thisprotection is also required by those who must dispose of medical wasteby-products, including the hypodermic syringes and needles, fromaccidental “stick” injuries which can occur by the improper oraccidental handling of such waste products.

[0003] In an effort to provide increased safety and prevent the spreadof infectious disease, small incinerating devices have been developed inrecent years which are specifically designed for destroying hypodermicsyringe needles and the like. Most of these incinerating devices havebeen designed to be portable, and most operate on conventional 110 voltAC outlet current so that the units may be plugged into a conventionaloutlet. With these, and other, prior art devices, a needle may bedestroyed immediately after its use by inserting the needle, while stillattached to the hypodermic syringe, into the incinerating apparatuswhere heat or electricity is utilized to thermally neutralizebiohazardous materials, and melt or disintegrate the needle. Someexamples of such prior art incinerators are found in U.S. Pat. No.:4,628,169 to Ching-Lung; U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,934 to Spinello; U.S. Pat.No. 4,965,426 to Colombo; U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,529 to Kudo; U.S. Pat. No.5,091,621 to Butler; U.S. Pat. No. 5,138,125 to Salesses; U.S. Pat. No.5,282,428 to Grevill, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,288,964 to Walker, et al.;U.S. Pat. No. 5,300,752 to Elmerick, et al.; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,336,862and 5,468,928 to Yelvington; U.S. Pat No. 5,551,355 to Haines et al.;U.S. Pat. No. 5,710,404 to Descent; U.S. Pat. No. 5,852,267 to Yanobu;U.S. Pat. No. 5,868,709 to Champion, et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,877,469to Truesdale, et al.

[0004] In many of these prior art incinerators, a pair of electrodes areengageable by a needle inserted into the incinerator housing. Anelectric arc is established through the needle, destroying the needle attemperatures of 1,000 degrees or higher, with the disintegrationoccurring substantially instantaneously. In some of the prior artincinerators, small fans are utilized to exhaust the by-products ofcombustion to the ambient atmosphere. To prevent the release of airbornecontaminants or pathogens, which may remain in the gaseous material,some prior art devices utilize a filter element to filter the air beforeit is exhausted from the incinerator apparatus.

[0005] Unfortunately, prior art needle incinerating units have not metwith acceptance by practitioners in the health care industry. For onething, incinerating devices have not proven to be sufficiently capableof ensuring that all exhaust from the incinerating devices is purifiedto prevent smoke, toxins, trace metal contaminates, and airbornepathogens from being discharged to the atmosphere. many healthcareprofessionals do not want to place any type of incinerating apparatuswithin an enclosed area where people may be exposed to the exhaust.

[0006] Another disadvantage in prior art needle incinerators is the needto adjust the incinerator electrodes or contacts depending upon the typeof needle which is to be destroyed. In many prior art incinerators, theelectrodes for contacting the needle are fixed relative to one anotheror flexible relative to one another, so as to ensure contact withvarying lengths of needles. In other prior art devices, gauges ordedicated entrance ports are utilized to accommodate different diameterneedles. Also, prior art needle incinerators have not been adequatelydesigned to cooperatively destroy needles associated with differingsizes of hypodermic syringes.

[0007] One other disadvantage associated with most prior art needleincinerators is the inability to clean electrodes without disassembly.In particular, after several needles have been disintegrated, a residueforms on the edges of the electrodes which degrades the performance ofthe disintegration process, and often provides a load on the batterythat causes the battery to discharge. If left uncleaned, this build-upof combustion by-products, residue and debris may render the incineratorinoperative.

[0008] In view of the foregoing, there is a need to increase theoperating performance, safety characteristics, self-cleaning treatmentcharacteristics, and adaptability of needle incinerators.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention provides an incinerator adapted fordisintegrating metal needles and lancets such as are used in the medicalprofession. In one embodiment of the invention, an incinerator isprovided that includes first and second electrodes, each having acontact edge spaced apart in an overlapping relationship to each other.The second electrode is rotated relative to the first electrode so as todefine a tapered gap between the contact edges. A controlled powersource is selectively interconnected to the first and second electrodes,with both being supported by a housing. The housing defines an openingadjacent to the electrodes for receiving metal, such as hypodermicneedles, interveinous needles, lancets, etc., to be incinerated by theelectrodes.

[0010] In another embodiment of the invention, a residue collectiondrawer is slidably mounted within the housing adjacent to the electrodesso as to capture residue from the incineration. An electrode broom ismovably mounted within the housing or the drawer, adjacent to the gapbetween the electrodes so as to be movable against the contact edgesthereby to remove a build-up of debris resulting from incineration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] These and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill be more fully disclosed in, or rendered obvious by, the followingdetailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, whichis to be considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein likenumbers refer to like parts and further wherein:

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a needle incinerator formed inaccordance with the invention;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a top view of the needle incinerator shown in FIG. 1;

[0014]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the needle incinerator shownin FIGS. 1 and 2, as taken along lines 3-3 in FIG. 2;

[0015]FIG. 4 is a plan view of the bottom wall of the needle incineratorshown in FIG. 1;

[0016]FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of one wiring and circuitarrangement used in connection with the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a negative incineration contactand a positive incineration contact that are used in connection with theelectrode assembly of the needle incinerator, with surroundingstructures removed for clarity of illustration;

[0018]FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the negative incinerationcontact and positive incineration contact shown in FIG. 6;

[0019]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the needle incinerator, astaken along lines 8-8 in FIG. 2;

[0020]FIG. 9 is a top view of the needle incinerator shown in FIG. 1,but with a top portion of a housing removed for clarity of illustration;

[0021]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a cleaning assembly formed inaccordance with the present invention, with the surrounding structuresof the needle incinerator removed for clarity of illustration; and

[0022]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the cleaning assembly similar toFIG. 10, but including a negative incineration contact and a positiveincineration contact that are used in connection with the electrodeassembly of the needle incinerator, with the surrounding structures ofthe needle incinerator removed for clarity of illustration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] This description of preferred embodiments is intended to be readin connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be consideredpart of the entire written description of this invention. In thedescription, relative terms such as “horizonal,” “vertical,” “up,”“down,” “top” and “bottom”, “back” and “front”, as well as derivatives(thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) shouldbe construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shownin the drawing figure under discussion. These relative terms are forconvenience of description and normally are not intended to require aparticular orientation. Terms including “inwardly” versus “outwardly,”“longitudinal” versus “lateral” and the like are to be interpretedrelative to one another or relative to an axis of elongation, or an axisor center of rotation, as appropriate. Terms concerning attachments,coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected,” referto a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to oneanother either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, aswell as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unlessexpressly described otherwise. The term “operatively connected” is suchan attachment, coupling or connection that allows the pertinentstructures to operate as intended by virtue of that relationship.

[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a needle incinerator 5 formed inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises ahousing 8, a power and control assembly 10, an electrode assembly 12,and a cleaning assembly 14. More particularly, housing 8 includes a topwall 20, a bottom 22, sidewalls 24, a front opening 26, and a back wall28 which are all arranged to define an interior void space or chamber 29within housing 8. Housing 8 is preferably formed from a durabledielectric material, such as one of the well known engineering polymers,e.g., polyhalo-olefins, polyamides, polyolefins, polystyrenes,polyvinyls, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polypropylene, polyesters,polystyrenes, polydienes, polyoxides, polyamides and polysulfides andtheir blends, co-polymers and substituted derivatives thereof. Chamber29 is sized and shaped to house power and control assembly 10, electrodeassembly 12, and a cleaning assembly 14. Front opening 26 providesaccess for cleaning assembly 14 to be placed adjacent to a portion ofelectrode assembly 12, as will hereinafter be disclosed in furtherdetail.

[0025] Top wall 20 defines an opening 33 which provides access toelectrode assembly 12. Opening 33 is the main aperture for insertingneedles into needle incinerator 5 for incineration. Opening 33 ispreferably circular, often with a radius of between 0.3 and 1.0 inches,and preferably about 0.6 inches. A semi-spherical indentation 34 isdefined along an edge of housing 8 between top wall 20 and a sidewall 24so that needle incinerator 5 can be carried with ease. Indentation 34may be formed on both sides of housing 8 (FIGS. 2 and 8). Clips 35 areconnected in the corners of bottom 22, and function to attach a topportion of housing 8 to bottom 22 (FIG. 4). Connection brackets 36 arepositioned on the inner surface of sidewalls 24 to engage clips 35. Anannular enclosure seal 38 is positioned around the perimeter of bottom22. Enclosure seal 38 prevents dust and vapors from entering or exitinghousing 8 through the interface of the housing top portion and bottom 22when the housing fully assembled and operating.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 4, four holes 39 are defined in the corners ofbottom 22. The primary function of holes 39 is to mount four rubbergrommets (not shown) to act as feet for needle incinerator 5. Asecondary function is to provide a port for the insertion of dowels (notshown) to unlock connection clips 35 from the connection brackets 36 andthereby release housing top portion and bottom 22.

[0027] Power and control assembly 10 is positioned within chamber 29 ofhousing 8, and includes a power source 40, a momentary action switch 42and control electronics system 44. In a portable embodiment of theinvention, direct current electrical energy is provided to electrodeassembly 12 from a battery or batteries 46 located within a rear portion47 of chamber 29. Alternatively, when alternating current is drawn from,e.g., conventional wall outlet and a plug arrangement, a transformer(not shown) is provided within rear portion 47 of chamber 29 to convertthe alternating line current to direct current for use with electrodeassembly 12. A power jack 45 is provided, and designed to sit flush witha sidewall 24 of housing 8. Power jack 45 accepts a plug (not shown)from a standard wall plug-in AC/DC adapter for recharging of battery 46.The choice of battery 46 or transformer is determined by the specificrange of needles to be regularly incinerated with needle incinerator 5.For example, a needle incinerator 5 designed to incinerate 20 to 30gauge needles may use a 6 Volt, 5 Amp-hour battery to accomplish theincineration.

[0028] It will be understood that other ranges of gauges of needles maybe incinerated with the present invention with a proper choice ofbattery capacity and electrode assembly.

[0029] Momentary action switch 42 preferably comprises a plunger-typeactuator 48 to actuate the switch, and is electrically interconnectedbetween power source 40, electrode assembly 12, and control electronicssystem 44. When plunger-type actuator 48 is fully depressed, momentaryaction switch 42 is closed, thereby allowing current to flow toelectrode assembly 12. When plunger-type actuator 48 is fully extended,momentary action switch 42 is open, thereby stopping the flow of anycurrent to electrode assembly 12. Operation of a portion of cleaningassembly 14 actuates momentary action switch 42, as will hereinafter bedisclosed in further detail.

[0030] Control electronics system 44 includes an operations display 50,a display drive circuit 53, and a battery recharge protection circuit56. More particularly, operations display 50 comprises at least threeincinerator status indicators positioned on the surface of top wall 20.The at least three incinerator status indicators may include a “Ready”status indication light 60, a “Charge” status indication light 62, and a“Clean” status indication light 64. Status indication lights 60,62, 64are preferably light-emitting diodes (LED) each having a differentcolor. For example, “Ready” status indication light 60, may be green tonotify the user of needle incinerator 5 that the device is ready toincinerate a needle, and that there is sufficient power available frombattery 46 to do so. “Charge” status indication light 62 may be a yellow(amber) LED to notify the user that battery 46 has a lower than neededcharge and is in need of recharging. “Clean” status indication light 64may be a red LED and, when on, notifies the user that there is apotentially harmful material lodged in an active portion of electrodeassembly 12. During operation of needle incinerator 5, status indicationlights 60,62, 64 will often flicker or go out due to a drop in voltagefrom battery 46. When incineration is complete, one of the three lightswill display to indicate to the user the status of needle incinerator 5.In the event that all three lights remain off after incineration, anunder-voltage condition in battery 46 is indicated, at which timebattery 46 can no longer be recharged and requires replacement.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 5, main circuit board 68 contains the circuitrycomponents that drive status indication lights 60,62, 64 and thecircuitry components that monitor and protect battery 46 duringoperation of needle incinerator 5 and recharging of battery 46. Circuitboard connection clips 69 are used to attach main circuit board 68 tothe inside of top wall 20 of housing 8. Main circuit board 68 is oftensplit into two sections comprising display drive circuit 53 and batterymonitoring and recharge protection circuit 56, and includes theappropriate passive and active electronic components and interconnectioncircuitry for driving status indication lights 60,62,64 and formonitoring the load placed upon battery 46 during operation andrecharging, which devices and circuitry are conventional and well knownto those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0032] For example, recharging lead wire 72 interconnects power jack 45to battery recharge protection circuit 56. Recharging lead wire 73interconnects battery recharge protection circuit 56 to positiveterminal 83 of battery 46. LED drive circuit wire 74 interconnectsbattery 46 to LED drive circuit 53. Main lead wire 75 interconnectsbattery 46 to the positive terminal of momentary action switch 42.Incineration contact wires 76,77 interconnect momentary action switch 42and battery 46 to electrode assembly 12 so as to form a completecircuit. Recharging wire 78 interconnects battery 46 to power jack 45 tocomplete the circuit. LED drive wire 79 interconnects drive circuit 53to battery 46 so as to complete the circuit. Battery terminal 81 is theconnection site for the lead wire 75 which interconnects battery 46 tomomentary action switch 42 so as to complete the circuit. Batteryterminal 82 interconnects lead wire 77 to electrode assembly 12 to thepower source so as to complete the circuit. Terminal 84 of momentaryaction switch 42 interconnects electrode assembly 12, via lead wire 76,to momentary action switch 42 so as to complete the circuit.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 3, 5, and 6-8, electrode assembly 12 comprisesa negative incineration contact 100, a positive incineration contact102, and an incineration chamber cowl 106. More particularly, negativeincineration contact 100 is formed from a highly conductive metal, suchas copper or a copper alloy, and includes a substantially straight andelongate mounting arm 110 having a through hole 112 defined along itslength and a needle engagement plate 115 positioned at one end.Through-hole 112 is sized to receive a portion of a mounting bolt or thelike 116 for securely fastening negative incineration contact 100 to abulkhead 118 positioned within a front portion of chamber 29 of housing8. Needle engagement plate 115 comprises a substantially flat surfacedefining a needle contact edge 119, and is preferably formed from H&H72/28 silver alloy, silver solder mounted to copper.

[0034] Negative incineration contact 100 is mounted to bulkhead 118 sothat the longitudinal axis of mounting arm 110 is oriented substantiallyparallel to sidewalls 24 of housing 8, with needle contact edge 119 ofneedle engagement plate 115 disposed substantially under opening 33 intop wall 20 of housing 8. In this position, needle engagement plate 115is oriented at an angle of between about 12 degrees to about 25 degrees,and preferably at an angle of about 17 degrees, relative to thelongitudinal axis of mounting arm 110. This angled orientation of needleengagement plate 115 allows any needles entering electrode assembly 12,via opening 33, and encountering needle engagement plate 115 at an angleof incidence that causes the needle to stub on its surface, to beredirected toward needle contact edge 119 of needle engagement plate 115and positive incineration contact 102 where the incineration of theneedle is effected.

[0035] Positive incineration contact 102 is formed from a highlyconductive metal, such as copper or a copper alloy, and includes asubstantially straight and elongate mounting arm 125 having a throughhole 128 defined along its length, a downwardly bent end portion 131,and a needle engagement plate 135 fastened to a top surface of endportion 131. Through hole 128 is sized to receive a portion of amounting bolt or the like 141 for securely fastening positiveincineration contact 102 to a bulkhead 143 positioned within a frontportion of chamber 29 within housing 8. Needle engagement plate 135comprises a substantially flat surface defining a needle contact edge147, and is preferably formed from H&H 72/28 silver alloy, silver soldermounted to copper.

[0036] Positive incineration contact 102 is mounted to bulkhead 143 sothat the longitudinal axis of mounting arm 125 is oriented substantiallyparallel to sidewalls 24 of housing 8, with needle contact edge 147 ofneedle engagement plate 135 disposed substantially under opening 33 intop wall 20 of housing 8. In this position, needle engagement plate 135is oriented at an angle of between about 35 degrees to about 50 degrees,and preferably at an angle of about 45 degrees, relative to thelongitudinal axis of mounting arm 125, and also rotationally oriented atan angle of between about 2 degrees and about 6 degrees, and preferablyat an angle of about 4 degrees, relative to a vertical axis directedcoaxially through opening 33 in top wall 20.

[0037] Advantageously, this combination of angular positions of positiveincineration contact 102 provides a tapering gap 150 between needlecontact edge 119 and needle contact edge 147. In other words, gap 150defined between needle contact edge 119 and needle contact edge 147 isskewed such that it is narrower at one end (approximately between 0.018and 0.024 inches) and wider at the other end (approximately between0.028 and 0.035 inches). This feature provides a user with thecapability to incinerate a large range of gauge sizes of needles,inasmuch as, larger gauge needles can be incinerated near the wider endof gap 150 and smaller gauge needles can be incinerated near narrowerend of gap 150.

[0038] Incineration chamber cowl 106 is sized and shaped to enclose anupper portion of electrode assembly 12, adjacent to negativeincineration contact 100 and positive incineration contact 102. Two ormore clips 35 are used to connect incineration chamber cowl 106 tohousing 8. Use of clips 35 allows for easy installation and service ofelectrode assembly 12.

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 8-9, cleaning assembly 14 includes aresidue drawer 160 and a contact broom 163. Residue drawer 160 comprisesfour sidewalls 166 and a bottom 168 that together form an openreceptacle that is sized and shaped to be slid through front opening 26of housing 8, and beneath electrode assembly 12. A front wall 164includes a handle 165 formed on an outer surface for grasping during theremoval of residue drawer 160 from needle incinerator 5. The primaryfunction of residue drawer 160 is to collect the waste residue formed asa result of the incineration of a plurality of needles, and provide forthe easy disposal of that residue. The secondary function of residuedrawer 160 is to support contact broom 163.

[0040] More particularly, each longitudinally oriented sidewall 166 andbottom 168 include a recessed channel 170 that are sized and shaped toreceive corresponding guide rails 173 located on lower portions ofbulkheads 118 and 143, and the inner surface of bottom 22 of housing 8.Recessed channels 170 and guide rails 173 cooperate when residue drawer160 is slid into and out of front opening 26 to properly align residuedrawer 160. This is especially important in order to orient contactbroom 163 properly so as to clean incineration residue from needlecontact edge 119 and needle contact edge 147. It should be noted thatwhen residue drawer 160 is positioned fully within housing 8, a sidewall166 engages and fully depresses plunger-type actuator 48 of momentaryaction switch 42, thereby closing momentary action switch 42, andallowing current to flow to electrode assembly 12 (FIG. 3).

[0041] Contact broom 163 comprises an elongate rod 178 having anabrasive wire, plate, or bristle assembly 179 or any combination of thethree fastened on one end. Bristle assembly 179 is sized and shaped tobe slid within gap 150, from its narrowest end to its widest end, andback, so as to scrape and brush residue, debris, etc., from needlecontact edges 119,147. Rod 178 is attached to a sidewall 166 of residuedrawer 160 by means of clips or bolts 181 so as to project upwardlyrelative to bottom 168, with contact broom 163 positioned in spacedrelation to residue drawer 160. In this way, when residue drawer 160 isslid into front opening 26 of housing 8, and fully positioned andproperly aligned with electrode assembly 12, contact broom 163 is incoaxial aligned relation with gap 150 and spaced away from needleengagement plate 115 and needle engagement plate 135. This spacialrelationship between contact broom 163 and the needle engagement platesis especially important in order to prevent an unwanted electrical shortcircuit through contact broom 163 during operation of needle incinerator5.

[0042] When residue drawer 160 is removed from housing 8, contact broom163 moves through gap 150 thereby sweeping needle contact edge 119 andneedle contact edge 147, and thus removing any debris or residue leftfrom an incineration. This is especially important as any metal residueor debris left engaging both needle engagement plate 115 and needleengagement plate 135 would quickly deplete any stored charge in battery46, or potentially cause damage to the battery. In addition, the removalresidue drawer 160 operates momentary action switch 42. Moreparticularly, when residue drawer 160 is removed from housing 8,plunger-type actuator 48 is fully extended, and momentary action switch42 is opened, thereby stopping the flow of any current to electrodeassembly 12.

[0043] In operation, when battery monitoring and recharge protectioncircuit 56 senses a build up of debris (by monitoring an increase inload on battery 46 without incineration of a needle) status indicationlight 64 lights up to notify the user that needle engagement plate 115and needle engagement plate 135 need to be cleaned. At this point,residue drawer 160 may be removed, and the collected debris and residuediscarded. It should be noted that when residue drawer 160 is removedfrom housing 8, plunger-type actuator 48 is fully extended, opening thecircuit so that no current can flow from the power source to electrodeassembly 12. Also, when residue drawer 160 is removed, contact broom 163sweeps through gap 150 removing any residue or debris left in thecontacts after incineration of a needle. When residue drawer 160 is onceagain inserted completely into front opening 26, plunger-type actuator48 is fully depressed, closing the circuit and allowing current to flowfrom battery 46 to electrode assembly 12. This process may be repeatedas often as need be.

[0044] It is to be understood that the present invention is by no meanslimited only to the particular constructions herein disclosed and shownin the drawings, but also comprises any modifications or equivalentswithin the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A metal incinerator comprising: first and secondelectrodes each having a contact edge spaced apart in an overlappingrelationship to each other, wherein said second electrode is rotatedrelative to said first electrode so as to define a tapered gap betweensaid contact edges; a controlled power source selectivelyinterconnecting said first and second electrodes; and a housingsupporting said electrodes and said power source and defining an openingadjacent to said electrodes for receiving metal to be incinerated bysaid electrodes.
 2. An incinerator according to claim 1 wherein saidfirst electrode comprises a substantially straight and elongate mountingarm having a through hole defined along its length and a needleengagement plate positioned at one end.
 3. An incinerator according toclaim 2 wherein said through-hole is sized to receive a portion of amounting bolt for securely fastening said first electrode to a portionsaid housing.
 4. An incinerator according to claim 3 wherein said needleengagement plate comprises a substantially flat surface defining saidcontact edge.
 5. An incinerator according to claim 2 wherein said firstelectrode is mounted to a portion of said housing so that said mountingarm is oriented substantially parallel to a sidewall of said housing,with said contact edge disposed substantially under said opening.
 6. Anincinerator according to claim 2 wherein said first electrode isoriented at an angle of between about twelve degrees to abouttwenty-five degrees relative to said mounting arm.
 7. An incineratoraccording to claim 2 wherein said first electrode is oriented at anangle of about seventeen degrees relative to said mounting arm.
 8. Anincinerator according to claim 1 wherein said second electrode comprisesa substantially straight and elongate mounting arm having a through holedefined along its length, a bent end portion, and a needle engagementplate positioned on a top surface of said bent end.
 9. An incineratoraccording to claim 8 wherein said through-hole is sized to receive aportion of a mounting bolt for securely fastening said second electrodeto a portion said housing.
 10. An incinerator according to claim 9wherein said needle engagement plate comprises a substantially flatsurface defining said contact edge.
 11. An incinerator according toclaim 8 wherein said second electrode is mounted to a portion of saidhousing so that said mounting arm is oriented substantially parallel toa sidewall of said housing, with said contact edge disposedsubstantially under said opening.
 12. An incinerator according to claim8 wherein said second electrode is oriented at an angle of between aboutthirty-five degrees to about fifty degrees relative to said mountingarm.
 13. An incinerator according to claim 8 wherein said secondelectrode is oriented at an angle of about forty-five degrees relativeto said mounting arm.
 14. An incinerator according to claim 1 whereinsaid second electrode is oriented rotationally oriented relative to saidopening at an angle of between about two degrees and about six degrees.15. An incinerator according to claim 8 wherein said second electrode isoriented rotationally oriented relative to said first electrode at anangle of about four degrees relative to said opening.
 16. An incineratoraccording to claim 1 comprising a residue collection drawer slidablymounted within said housing adjacent said first and second electrodes.17. A needle incinerator according to claim 16 comprising a momentaryaction switch electrically interconnected between said power source andsaid first and second electrodes and positioned within said housing sothat when said residue collection drawer is positioned fully within saidhousing said momentary action switch is fully actuated thereby allowingpower to flow to said first and second electrodes.
 18. A needleincinerator for disposing of needles comprising: a housing having anopening therein for receiving a needle, needle destruction meansdisposed within said housing adjacent said opening for contacting anddestroying said needle; and a residue collection drawer slidably mountedwithin said housing adjacent said needle destruction means.
 19. A needleincinerator according to claim 18 wherein said residue collection drawercomprises four sidewalls and a bottom that together form an openreceptacle that is sized and shaped to be slid through said opening ofsaid housing and beneath said needle destruction means so as to collectthe waste residue formed as a result of incineration of a plurality ofneedles.
 20. A needle incinerator according to claim 19 wherein two ofsaid sidewalls are oriented longitudinally relative to said bottom andinclude a recessed channel that is sized and shaped to receivecorresponding guide rail located on a lower portion of said housingwherein said recessed channels and guide rails cooperate when saidresidue drawer is slid into and out of said opening so to properly alignsaid residue drawer within said housing.
 21. A needle incineratoraccording to claim 18 comprising a power source adapted for providingpower to said needle destruction means and a momentary action switchelectrically interconnected between said power source and said needledestruction means and positioned within said housing so that when saidresidue collection drawer is positioned fully within said housing saidmomentary action switch is fully actuated thereby allowing power to flowto said needle destruction means.
 22. A metal incinerator comprising:first and second electrodes each having a contact edge spaced apart inan overlapping relationship to each other, wherein said second electrodeis rotated relative to said first electrode so as to define a taperedgap between said contact edges; a controlled power source selectivelyinterconnecting said first and second electrodes; a housing supportingsaid electrodes and said power source and defining an opening adjacentto said electrodes for receiving metal to be incinerated by saidelectrodes; and an electrode broom movably mounted within said housingadjacent said gap so as to be movable against said contact edges therebyto remove a build-up of debris resulting from incineration of saidmetal.
 23. A metal incinerator according to claim 22 wherein saidelectrode broom comprises an elongate rod having means for brushinglyengaging said contact edges.
 24. A metal incinerator according to claim22 wherein said electrode broom comprises at least one of an abrasivewire, a plate, and a bristle assembly fastened to an end adjacent tosaid contact edges.
 25. A metal incinerator according to claim 22wherein said electrode broom is sized and shaped to be slid within saidtapering gap, from a narrowest end to a widest end, and back, so as toscrape and brush residue from said contact edges.
 26. A metalincinerator according to claim 23 comprising a residue collection drawerslidably mounted within said housing adjacent said first and secondelectrodes wherein said rod is fastened to a sidewall of residue drawer.27. A metal incinerator according to claim 26 wherein said rod projectsupwardly relative to said bottom of said residue collection drawer, withsaid electrode broom so that when said residue collection drawer is slidinto said opening of said housing, said electrode broom is in coaxialaligned relation with said gap and spaced away from said first and saidsecond electrodes.
 28. A metal incinerator comprising: first and secondelectrodes each having a contact edge spaced apart in an overlappingrelationship to each other, wherein said second electrode is rotatedrelative to said first electrode so as to define a tapered gap betweensaid contact edges; a controlled power source selectivelyinterconnecting said first and second electrodes; a housing supportingsaid electrodes and said power source and having an opening forreceiving metal to be incinerated by said electrodes and a residuecollection drawer slidably mounted within said housing adjacent saidfirst and second electrodes; and an electrode broom mounted to saidresidue collection drawer and adjacent said gap so as to be movablewithin said gap and against said contact edges thereby to removebuild-up of debris resulting from incineration of said metal.
 29. Aneedle incinerator according to claim 18 comprising a momentary actionswitch electrically interconnected between said power source and saidfirst and second electrodes and positioned within said housing so thatwhen said residue collection drawer is positioned fully within saidhousing said momentary action switch is fully actuated thereby allowingpower to flow to said first and second electrodes.